Focused on building reliable datasets, financial models, and research tools for value-minded investors. Committed to turning complex data into practical guidance for value-investing and long-term wealth.
Dr. Charlie Tian is the founder and CEO of GuruFocus.com, a leading global investment research platform established in 2004. With a Ph.D. in physics, Dr. Tian transitioned from science to finance, applying a data-driven, disciplined approach to value investing.
Core & MainCNM -1.80%87 Forward PE Ratio is 13.21 as of Sep. 10, 2026. GuruFocus rates CNM with a GF Score™ of 87/100 and a GF Value™ of $55.37 (Modestly Undervalued). The stock has 2 warning signs investors should review. Among 66 Industrial Distribution companies, Core & Main ranks better than 63.64% on this metric.
Core & Main's Forward PE Ratio for today is 13.21.
Core & Main (NYSE:CNM) Forward PE Ratio Explanation
The Forward PE Ratio of a company is often used to compare current earnings to estimated future earnings, as well as gaining a clearer picture of what earnings will look like without charges and other accounting adjustments. If earnings are expected to grow in the future, the Forward PE Ratio will be lower than the current PE Ratio. This measure is also used to compare one company to another with a forward-looking focus.
Trailing PE Ratio relies on what is already done. It uses the current share price and divides by the total EPS (Basic) over the past 12 months. PE Ratio can be affected by Non Operating Income such as the sale of part of businesses. This may increase for the current year or quarter dramatically. But it cannot be repeated over and over. Therefore PE Ratio without NRI is a more accurate indication of valuation than PE Ratio .
Core & Main Forward PE Ratio Related Terms
Core & Main Forward PE Ratio Historical Data
* Premium members only.
The historical data trend for Core & Main's Forward PE Ratio can be seen below:
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Core & Main Forward PE Ratio Chart
Core & Main Annual Data
Trend
2022-01
2023-01
2024-01
2025-01
2026-01
Forward PE Ratio
20.20
10.12
17.73
23.26
17.83
Core & Main Quarterly Data
2021-10
2022-01
2022-04
2022-07
2022-10
2023-01
2023-04
2023-07
2023-10
2024-01
2024-04
2024-07
2024-10
2025-01
2025-04
2025-07
2025-10
2026-01
2026-04
2026-07
Forward PE Ratio
31.85
20.20
21.83
17.24
11.72
10.12
13.23
15.08
13.68
17.73
26.53
21.32
18.43
23.26
21.61
26.38
19.89
17.83
15.99
14.05
CNM vs POOL, MSM, XMTR: Forward PE Ratio Comparison
For the Industrial Distribution subindustry, Core & Main's Forward PE Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and Forward PE Ratio data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
Core & Main Forward PE Ratio vs Industrial Distribution Industry
For the Industrial Distribution industry and Industrials sector, Core & Main's Forward PE Ratio distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Core & Main's Forward PE Ratio falls into.
It's a measure of the price-to-earnings ratio (PE Ratio) using forecasted earnings for the calculation. While the earnings used are just an estimate and are not as reliable as current earnings data, there is still benefit in estimated P/E analysis. The forecasted earnings used in the formula can either be for the next 12 months or for the next full-year fiscal period.
Core & Main (CNM) has a Forward PE Ratio of 13.21 as of Sep. 10, 2026. Forward P/E ratio is the share price dividend by the expected per-share earnings in the next 12 months. View historical data on Core & Main and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, Core & Main ranks #24 out of 66 companies in the Industrial Distribution industry, placing it in the top 36.4%.
Is Core & Main's Forward PE Ratio too high?
Core & Main's current Forward PE Ratio is 13.21. The Industrial Distribution industry median Forward PE Ratio is 17.86. Core & Main's value of 13.21 is 26% below this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Core & Main ranks #24 out of 66 companies in the Industrial Distribution industry, which is above the industry midpoint. Overall, Core & Main has a GF Score™ of 87/100 and is considered Modestly Undervalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Core & Main's Forward PE Ratio compare to POOL and MSM?
According to the Industrial Distribution industry distribution chart, Core & Main ranks #24 out of 66 companies for Forward PE Ratio. This puts Core & Main in the upper half of its industry. The industry median Forward PE Ratio is 17.86. Core & Main's value of 13.21 is 26% below this benchmark. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Forward PE Ratio for an Industrial Distribution company?
The median Forward PE Ratio among Industrial Distribution companies is 17.86, based on 66 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Forward PE Ratio significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Forward PE Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Core & Main's current Forward PE Ratio of 13.21 is 26% below the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Forward PE Ratio mean?
A high Forward PE Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Forward P/E ratio is the share price dividend by the expected per-share earnings in the next 12 months. View historical data on Core & Main and its competitors. For the Industrial Distribution industry, the median Forward PE Ratio is 17.86 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Core & Main's current Forward PE Ratio is 13.21. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Core & Main stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Core & Main (CNM) is currently considered Modestly Undervalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $55.37, compared to a current price of $40.85 — trading 26.2% below its estimated fair value. The current Forward PE Ratio is 13.21 and 26% below the Industrial Distribution industry median of 17.86. Core & Main's overall GF Score™ is 87/100 with 2 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Forward PE Ratio calculated?
Forward PE Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Core & Main (CNM), the current Forward PE Ratio is 13.21 as of Sep. 10, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Core & Main (CNM) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Core & Main stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of $40.85 is trading 26.2% below its estimated GF Value™ of $55.37.
GuruFocus considers Core & Main to be Modestly Undervalued.
Key valuation signals for CNM:
Forward PE Ratio: 13.21
GF Value™: $55.37 vs. price of $40.85 (26.2% below fair value)
Industry Position: 26% below the Industrial Distribution median (#24 of 66)
No single metric tells the full story. See the CNM stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Core & Main is a leading specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage, and fire protection products. The company provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies, and professional contractors across municipal, nonresidential, and residential end markets. The company's specialty products and services are used in the maintenance, repair, replacement, and construction of water and fire protection infrastructure.
87GF Score
Get the complete analysis for CNM
Forward PE Ratio is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
Quick Browse
Personalize
Premium Gurus 
Create New Portfolio
CNM has been successfully added to your 
